Methods of Botanical Preparation

There are many methods of botanical preparation and prescription. The clinic has a wide variety of botanical preparations available. The naturopathic doctor will select the best method of preparation and prescription for you depending on the nature of your case.

Several types of botanical preparations are listed below:

Decoctions

Decoctions are usually made from roots, stem, bark, and berries of the plant but sometimes consists of leaves and flowers.

Decoctions involve simmering the components of plants in boiling water therefore dissolving the plants in water.

volatile oils and other substances in the plant must be simmered in order for them to be released into the water.

decoctions can be taken hot or cold depending on the case.

Infusions

Infusing a herb in oil allows its active fat-soluble ingredients to be extracted into the solution.

Hot infused oils are simmered in oil.

Cold infused oils are heated naturally by the sun.

Infusions can be added as massage oils or added to creams and ointments.

Infusions are weak solutions and are usually used for topical treatments.

Tinctures

Tinctures are made by soaking a herb in water with an ethanol (alcohol) extract which encourages the active plant constituents to dissolve.

The percent of alcohol depends on the amount of herb being used (from 10-15% to 95% alcohol).

Alcohol and water makes the solvent easily absorbed when the mixture is ingested by the patient.

The ratio of herb to solution ranges from 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 to 1:5 depending on the type of the botanical used.

Tinctures can be used away from foods or with foods to stimulate digestive function.

Tinctures have a relatively stronger action than infusions or decoctions.

Tinctures have a long shelf life and can last for years.

Fluid Extract

Fluid extracts are made by a process of doubling an extract from a prepared tincture.

Fluid extracts are made by taking the menstrum concentrate from the first tincture of herb in alcohol solution and adding a second tincture using the menstrum extract from the first tincture.

This doubles the strength of the first tincture.

The process can be repeated again and again each time increasing tincture potency making these preparations very strong.

Solid Extract

In a solid extract the substance end product has the consistency of molasses with more solid than liquid.

Solid extracts are very potent in their effect and do not need to be used in large amounts.

Syrups

Honey and un-refined sugar are effective preservatives and can be combines with infusions or decoctions to make syrups and cordials.

Syrups have the additional benefit of having a soothing action and therefore make a perfect preparation technique for cough mixtures, immune stimulants as well as relieving sore throats.